Quick Facts

Sport: Wheelchair rugby
Specialty: Mixed wheelchair rugby

Biographical Information

Chuck Aoki is an American wheelchair rugby player, a Paralympic medalist and one of the most recognized and decorated athletes in the sport. Aoki lives with hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy (HSAN Type II), a rare condition affecting his ability to feel pain and temperature. This condition shaped his early experiences with sports and eventually led him to adaptive athletics.

Aoki initially began with wheelchair basketball at age seven, winning back-to-back national championships with the Jr. Rolling Timberwolves as a teenager. At 15, inspired by the documentary "Murderball," Aoki transitioned to wheelchair rugby, drawn to its intensity and camaraderie. He graduated from Southwest High School and afterward earned his master’s in public policy at the University of Minnesota. An advocate for athletes with disabilities, Aoki takes to social media to educate others on living with a disability.

Paralympic Highlights

At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Aoki made an impressive Paralympic debut, helping guide Team USA's wheelchair rugby team to a bronze medal finish. Four years later at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, he elevated his team's performance, leading the United States to a silver medal in an intensely fought final match.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games marked a special milestone for Aoki, who served as Team USA's co-captain and flag bearer. He continued his stellar performance on the court, again steering the team to a silver medal.

Aoki continued his Paralympic journey, at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, leading Team USA to their third consecutive silver medal, and earning his fourth Paralympic medal in his career. With four Paralympic medals, Aoki became the most decorated U.S. athlete in the sport.

World Championship Highlights

Chuck Aoki has an impressive world championship career, having first joined the U.S. World Championship roster in 2010. He holds the distinction of being one of only two USA wheelchair rugby athletes to medal at four different world championships.

Early Career

At just 17, Aoki made history as the second-youngest player ever selected for the U.S. national wheelchair rugby team in 2008-09. His international debut came at the 2009 American Zonal Championships, where he helped the U.S. secure gold. He followed this with another gold at the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championship and the 2011 American Zonal Championships.

In domestic competition, Aoki's achievements include two Division I National Championships alongside his Division II title. His exceptional play earned him multiple MVP awards and the 2011 United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) Player of the Year honor.

Paralympic Experience

4-time Paralympian; 4-time Paralympic medalist (3 silver, 1 bronze)
- Paralympic Games Paris 2024, silver (Team - Mixed)
- Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, silver (Team - Mixed)
- Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, silver (Team - Mixed)
- Paralympic Games London 2012, bronze (Team - Mixed)

World Championships Experience

Most recent: 2022 – silver (Team - Mixed)
Years of participation: Team - Mixed 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
Medals: 4 (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze)
- Gold – 2010 (Team - Mixed)
- Silver – 2022 (Team - Mixed)
- Bronze – 2018 (Team - Mixed); 2014 (Team - Mixed)

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Education

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